Through Seeds and Beyond

Day 3

The next day, at dawn, Alfred woke up slowly as the sharp rays of the sun pierced into his eyes through the window. The rhythmic sound of the train moving along the tracks was still present, but it was clear that the train was nearing his next destination, Brindisi. As he sat up and rubbed his eyes, Alfred looked out through the window and saw the first glimpse of the harbor. Ships and ferries of different sizes floated in the distance, some ready to depart, others just arriving. The sight of the sea brought a sense of calm and anticipation to his mind.

This Intercity train was scheduled to reach Brindisi at exactly 5:46 a.m., and, as if following an invisible line of fate, it pulled into the station right on time. The platform was still quiet, with only a few early travelers moving about. Alfred stood up, stretched his legs, and slowly got off the train, carrying his small bag. His body was tired from the long journey, but his mind was awake and alert, ready for the next part of his adventure.

His next mission was to catch a ferry from Brindisi to Patras in Greece. But since the ferry was only scheduled to leave at 9 a.m., Alfred had plenty of time to spare. By around 7 a.m., as the town was fully waking up, Alfred found a small tea shop near the port. The place was simple but welcoming, and Alfred enjoyed a warm cup of tea along with a light breakfast — a piece of bread with some cheese and olives, a flavor that reminded him he was far from home now.

After breakfast, he made his way to the ferry terminal and purchased his ticket. The station was already beginning to fill with other travelers, some going to Greece for family visits, some for business, and others perhaps, like Alfred, for reasons of their own. The hours passed slowly, but by 9:30 a.m., the large white ferry could be seen approaching the harbor, cutting through the morning fog as it moved closer to the dock.

Alfred boarded the ferry along with many other passengers bound for Patras. As he climbed up to the main deck, he found a comfortable seat in the middle section. The ferry was large and spacious, with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. This was going to be a 24-hour journey, and Alfred prepared himself mentally for the long ride. He sat with his bag beside him, adjusting himself to get comfortable, his face looking calm but thoughtful.

As the ferry left the Italian shore behind and moved steadily across the waters, Alfred started to feel more relaxed. The sea was calm for now, and a cool breeze brushed past. After some time, Alfred felt the urge to have a conversation, to share a few words and break the quietness that filled his mind.

Seated next to him was a strong-looking man, probably in his forties, with a tanned face and sharp features. With a gentle smile, Alfred glanced at him, and to his delight, the man responded with a warm smile. Soon enough, they began to talk. The man introduced himself as Nikalaos, a Greek athlete. He explained that he had been playing professional baseball for over 12 years and was now returning home from a competitive event held in Milan. His voice was filled with pride when he spoke about his career, though there was also a tiredness in his eyes.

Alfred, in turn, shared that he was a teacher and was traveling to meet "his grandparents," though he avoided mentioning the true depth of his journey. He wasn’t ready to explain the mystery yet, especially to a stranger, even if he seemed kind.

By noon, the ferry's deck was filled with food sellers moving around with trays. Alfred bought some pasta and enjoyed a quiet lunch while watching the waves gently hit the sides of the ferry. After his meal, he felt the need to stretch and breathe in some fresh air. Along with Nikalaos, he walked to the edge of the ferry where a seating area offered a beautiful view of the endless sea. They sat there for a while, watching the sun climb higher and the water sparkle under its rays.

As the afternoon wore on, they returned to their seats, and Alfred decided to rest for a bit. The gentle swaying of the ferry made it easy to fall asleep, and soon, Alfred dozed off, dreaming of distant lands.

However, as evening approached, the calm weather began to shift. Dark clouds started gathering in the sky, and a strong wind began to pick up. By nightfall, the wind had grown stronger, and waves started rocking the ferry more fiercely.

Nikalaos, noticing Alfred's worried expression, assured him that these things were not uncommon and that the ferry was built to withstand such storms. But soon, an official announcement was made over the speakers, warning everyone to stay inside the cabins as a storm was expected to hit soon. The crew moved around the decks, securing everything that could be blown away. Passengers were advised not to stay outside, and the outer decks were closed off.

Alfred felt a chill run through him as the first gusts of heavy wind shook the ferry. The waves began to crash harder, and the night sky was filled with the sound of howling winds. Some of the passengers, especially those not used to sea travel, began to feel seasick. The crew quickly distributed seasickness bags and advised everyone to sit tight and avoid moving unnecessarily.

For several long minutes, the ferry struggled against the storm. Alfred sat quietly, gripping the armrest of his seat tightly, while Nikalaos tried to stay calm, though even he seemed tense. The storm roared on, but eventually, as if nature had decided to take mercy, the winds began to slow and the waves calmed down.

A sense of relief passed over the passengers as the ferry stabilized. Alfred took a deep breath, feeling like he had just emerged from a nightmare. Nikalaos, with a half-smile, said that he had been through worse but admitted it was not easy to handle.

By the time dinner was served, everyone was much calmer. Alfred ate a light meal, still thinking about the terrifying storm but grateful it had passed. After dinner, many passengers prepared to sleep, worn out by the emotional tension of the evening.

Alfred, too, was feeling the exhaustion hit him. Around 11 p.m., after saying a quiet good night to Nikalaos, he leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and slowly drifted into sleep, knowing tomorrow would bring him one step closer to the answers he sought.